Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 October 2020
50. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration his plans for an improvement in pay and conditions for childcare workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31369/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very conscious need for significant improvement in pay and working conditions for practitioners in early learning and care and school-age childcare services. The level of pay they receive does not reflect the value of the work they do for children, for families and for the wider society and economy. In addition, low pay and poor working conditions have an impact on the quality of the care provided through their effect on the recruitment, retention and turnover of qualified staff. The most recent data available indicates that the average hourly wage in the sector was €12.55 in mid-2019, while staff turnover was 23%. This is not good for children, families, staff, providers or the Exchequer.
As the State is not the employer, the Deputy will appreciate that my Department does not set wage levels nor determine working conditions for staff working in the sector. My Department has, however, over a number of years provided a range of supports to service providers to enable them to improve wages and working conditions. However, wages in the sector remain too low and as a significant funder of the sector, alongside parents, it is imperative that my Department works with provider representatives and staff representatives to address the issue.
I am committed to exploring new ways to impact positively on pay and conditions. In the medium term, the Expert Group on a New Funding Model and the Steering Group of the Workforce Development Plan are both considering future policy tools to support the workforce in early learning and care and school-age childcare services. Work on the new funding model is looking at ways in which some services can be funded to meet additional requirements on the quality, affordability and accessibility of services. These could include requirements in relation to wages or working conditions. In addition, the Programme for Government includes a commitment to the creation of a Joint Labour Committee for the sector, which could offer a mechanism through which a pay agreement could be achieved in the shorter term.
